Switzerland is making preparations to vote on proposals to introduce a universal basic income, which as per the campaigners, would erase poverty and remove dependence on welfare. It has been suggested by the intiative's founders that each adult should receive 2,500 francs (£1784) a month with children receiving 625 francs (£446) a month until they reach 18. The electorate is to decide whether to support the principle of the new measure, instead of its immediate non-binding referendum.
Makers of the proposal stress that this government-guaranteed payment, unlike the current benefit programs, will be entirely "no questions asked", which means, it will not be means-tested and it will apply for every person legally living in Switzerland. Called the Unconditional Basic Income, supporters say it would support the people that will, or already do, lose their jobs to automation and technological progress; a defensive move against "the rise of the robots" as they put it. They also claim that such a measure will give people the opportunity to grow, to learn and to pursue skills or professional goals that are now rendered prohibitive by their current meaningless and mundane jobs, that they are forced into for simply paying the bills.
Gabriel Barta of the Basic Income Earth Network said it could take up to ten years to debate, finance and implement the law. He said, "These people are not actually being guaranteed a life of dignity in the way the constitution says. We need a basic income to allow each person to be his or her own entrepreneur, to choose what work he or she does."
The vote will take place on 5 June.
